Martin Elcoate
@melcoate.bsky.social
Volunteer for The Green Runners; low carbon running & birding in Devon, mostly in squares.
Running in Squares - my blog for the OS
https://linktr.ee/MartinElcoate?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=0a99957a-af9c-4481-81d1-6ba562fb06ff
Running in Squares - my blog for the OS
https://linktr.ee/MartinElcoate?utm_source=linktree_profile_share<sid=0a99957a-af9c-4481-81d1-6ba562fb06ff
Second walk around town of the day and great to find a Great White Egret on Bowling Green Marsh.
More #LowCarbonBirding
#DevonBirds #Birding
More #LowCarbonBirding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 15, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Second walk around town of the day and great to find a Great White Egret on Bowling Green Marsh.
More #LowCarbonBirding
#DevonBirds #Birding
More #LowCarbonBirding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Red-necked Grebe still on Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, sticking to the same stretch of water.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 15, 2025 at 10:56 AM
Red-necked Grebe still on Bowling Green Marsh, Topsham, sticking to the same stretch of water.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh for its third day. Clearly not an early riser. It had a bit of a stretch to show of it’s amazing seaweed like feet.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 14, 2025 at 8:44 AM
Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh for its third day. Clearly not an early riser. It had a bit of a stretch to show of it’s amazing seaweed like feet.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Yesterday vs Today. Hoping tomorrow brings even better views.
November 13, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Yesterday vs Today. Hoping tomorrow brings even better views.
Lunchtime run - out for a 10km run from home.
As I ran I looked for birds along Ludwell Valley and saw 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper.
Love seeing these birds in such an incongruous place.
#DevonBirds #Birding #Running
As I ran I looked for birds along Ludwell Valley and saw 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper.
Love seeing these birds in such an incongruous place.
#DevonBirds #Birding #Running
November 13, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Lunchtime run - out for a 10km run from home.
As I ran I looked for birds along Ludwell Valley and saw 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper.
Love seeing these birds in such an incongruous place.
#DevonBirds #Birding #Running
As I ran I looked for birds along Ludwell Valley and saw 3 Green Sandpipers, 2 Grey Wagtails and a Dipper.
Love seeing these birds in such an incongruous place.
#DevonBirds #Birding #Running
The Red-necked Grebe was still on Bowling Green Marsh this morning.
Not great conditions to get an image but better than yesterday (plus I had my scope with me).
No problem identifying it today 👍🏻
#DevonBirds #Birding
Not great conditions to get an image but better than yesterday (plus I had my scope with me).
No problem identifying it today 👍🏻
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 13, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The Red-necked Grebe was still on Bowling Green Marsh this morning.
Not great conditions to get an image but better than yesterday (plus I had my scope with me).
No problem identifying it today 👍🏻
#DevonBirds #Birding
Not great conditions to get an image but better than yesterday (plus I had my scope with me).
No problem identifying it today 👍🏻
#DevonBirds #Birding
2/2 I put the news out of a possible RN Grebe & was pleased to receive this photo from Dave Stone confirming its identity (by which time I was at work).
1st record of Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh.
Could this be the bird @axebirder.bsky.social released on the Axe?
#DevonBirds #Birding
1st record of Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh.
Could this be the bird @axebirder.bsky.social released on the Axe?
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
2/2 I put the news out of a possible RN Grebe & was pleased to receive this photo from Dave Stone confirming its identity (by which time I was at work).
1st record of Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh.
Could this be the bird @axebirder.bsky.social released on the Axe?
#DevonBirds #Birding
1st record of Red-necked Grebe on Bowling Green Marsh.
Could this be the bird @axebirder.bsky.social released on the Axe?
#DevonBirds #Birding
1/2 I popped into the Bowling Green Marsh this morning for a quick scan thru’ the ducks. I noticed a distant grebe hugging the far reeds. Trouble is, I only had bins.
After a lot of squinting, I was fairly sure it was a Red-necked Grebe but couldn’t be 💯%. Damn!
#DevonBirds #Birding
After a lot of squinting, I was fairly sure it was a Red-necked Grebe but couldn’t be 💯%. Damn!
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 12, 2025 at 12:31 PM
1/2 I popped into the Bowling Green Marsh this morning for a quick scan thru’ the ducks. I noticed a distant grebe hugging the far reeds. Trouble is, I only had bins.
After a lot of squinting, I was fairly sure it was a Red-necked Grebe but couldn’t be 💯%. Damn!
#DevonBirds #Birding
After a lot of squinting, I was fairly sure it was a Red-necked Grebe but couldn’t be 💯%. Damn!
#DevonBirds #Birding
Spotted Redshank on Bowling Green Marsh this morning (along with another Spot Red, Ruff and lots of other waders).
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 10, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Spotted Redshank on Bowling Green Marsh this morning (along with another Spot Red, Ruff and lots of other waders).
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Thought I’d have a nose around Dawlish Warren for a couple of hours this afternoon. No stripey warblers sadly but plenty of Goldcrests & Chiffs to keep my hopes up.
Best of the birds: Dartford Warbler, Barnacle Goose (my 1st this year), 12 Common Scoter & a great Great Northern Diver.
Best of the birds: Dartford Warbler, Barnacle Goose (my 1st this year), 12 Common Scoter & a great Great Northern Diver.
November 10, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Thought I’d have a nose around Dawlish Warren for a couple of hours this afternoon. No stripey warblers sadly but plenty of Goldcrests & Chiffs to keep my hopes up.
Best of the birds: Dartford Warbler, Barnacle Goose (my 1st this year), 12 Common Scoter & a great Great Northern Diver.
Best of the birds: Dartford Warbler, Barnacle Goose (my 1st this year), 12 Common Scoter & a great Great Northern Diver.
Recovery walk around Topsham this morning. Surprised to find a Garganey on Bowling Green Marsh. Also 2 Spotted Redshanks and a Ruff.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
November 9, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Recovery walk around Topsham this morning. Surprised to find a Garganey on Bowling Green Marsh. Also 2 Spotted Redshanks and a Ruff.
#DevonBirds #Birding
#DevonBirds #Birding
Salt Settlers Six - a simple game of how many 4.5km laps around the Otter Estuary can you run in 6 hours?
12 laps / 52km for me.
Beautiful day for a run, even if it was a bit of a grind towards the end.
Thanks to the other runners for their company & Climb South West for a top event.
#Running
12 laps / 52km for me.
Beautiful day for a run, even if it was a bit of a grind towards the end.
Thanks to the other runners for their company & Climb South West for a top event.
#Running
November 8, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Salt Settlers Six - a simple game of how many 4.5km laps around the Otter Estuary can you run in 6 hours?
12 laps / 52km for me.
Beautiful day for a run, even if it was a bit of a grind towards the end.
Thanks to the other runners for their company & Climb South West for a top event.
#Running
12 laps / 52km for me.
Beautiful day for a run, even if it was a bit of a grind towards the end.
Thanks to the other runners for their company & Climb South West for a top event.
#Running
Hey. 35 years ago I saw the Pixies at Exeter Great Hall. Next year I finally get to see them again, this time in Cornwall at the Eden Project. It’s going to be Gigantic!
November 8, 2025 at 8:56 AM
Hey. 35 years ago I saw the Pixies at Exeter Great Hall. Next year I finally get to see them again, this time in Cornwall at the Eden Project. It’s going to be Gigantic!
Reported this dead Canada Goose at Topsham, Devon yesterday using @birdtrack.bsky.social #BirdFlu
November 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Reported this dead Canada Goose at Topsham, Devon yesterday using @birdtrack.bsky.social #BirdFlu
Sprite from the East- On my 10km run to Exmouth this morning I heard a distinctive call from the trees along the top of Bowling Green Road.
I stopped in my tracks to listen to what was only my 5th Topsham Yellow-browed Warbler.
Brilliant!
#LowCarbonBirding #Running #DevonBirds
I stopped in my tracks to listen to what was only my 5th Topsham Yellow-browed Warbler.
Brilliant!
#LowCarbonBirding #Running #DevonBirds
October 31, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Sprite from the East- On my 10km run to Exmouth this morning I heard a distinctive call from the trees along the top of Bowling Green Road.
I stopped in my tracks to listen to what was only my 5th Topsham Yellow-browed Warbler.
Brilliant!
#LowCarbonBirding #Running #DevonBirds
I stopped in my tracks to listen to what was only my 5th Topsham Yellow-browed Warbler.
Brilliant!
#LowCarbonBirding #Running #DevonBirds
I picked a new route to run to Teignmouth today.
30km through the Haldon foothills & Ashcombe, finding a new trig point on Teignmouth golf course before the long descent to the sea.
Short detour up a dead end lane to run a new stretch of road in my #ASingleMap
Great day to be out & about #running
30km through the Haldon foothills & Ashcombe, finding a new trig point on Teignmouth golf course before the long descent to the sea.
Short detour up a dead end lane to run a new stretch of road in my #ASingleMap
Great day to be out & about #running
October 27, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I picked a new route to run to Teignmouth today.
30km through the Haldon foothills & Ashcombe, finding a new trig point on Teignmouth golf course before the long descent to the sea.
Short detour up a dead end lane to run a new stretch of road in my #ASingleMap
Great day to be out & about #running
30km through the Haldon foothills & Ashcombe, finding a new trig point on Teignmouth golf course before the long descent to the sea.
Short detour up a dead end lane to run a new stretch of road in my #ASingleMap
Great day to be out & about #running
Firecrests - over the last two weeks I’ve added three new squares to my Firecrest map. Today I heard 3 birds in 93 80 near Mamhead. One popped up right next to the lane. Love them!
My Firecrest map is a 20kmx20km OS map centred on my home. #ASingleMap
My Firecrest map is a 20kmx20km OS map centred on my home. #ASingleMap
October 27, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Firecrests - over the last two weeks I’ve added three new squares to my Firecrest map. Today I heard 3 birds in 93 80 near Mamhead. One popped up right next to the lane. Love them!
My Firecrest map is a 20kmx20km OS map centred on my home. #ASingleMap
My Firecrest map is a 20kmx20km OS map centred on my home. #ASingleMap
October 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Afternoon wander around Orcombe Point & Sandy Bay looking for migrant birds. Very few birds seen, highlights being a pair of Cirl Buntings & a Peregrine chasing a lone Woodpigeon over the sea.
A single Clouded Yellow butterfly was a lovely to see.
A single Clouded Yellow butterfly was a lovely to see.
October 25, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Afternoon wander around Orcombe Point & Sandy Bay looking for migrant birds. Very few birds seen, highlights being a pair of Cirl Buntings & a Peregrine chasing a lone Woodpigeon over the sea.
A single Clouded Yellow butterfly was a lovely to see.
A single Clouded Yellow butterfly was a lovely to see.
Woodpigeons - 13km run from home to Exmouth to meet Maya for a walk along the seafront.
Heard Firecrest as I ran but the big birdy event of the day was the Woodpigeon movement. As Maya & I walked, flock after flock headed west. c 13k in 80 minutes. Amazing sight!
#Birding #Running
Heard Firecrest as I ran but the big birdy event of the day was the Woodpigeon movement. As Maya & I walked, flock after flock headed west. c 13k in 80 minutes. Amazing sight!
#Birding #Running
October 25, 2025 at 10:35 AM
No doubt I’ve run up that lane (unless it’s private) as Lympstone falls well within the OS map centred on my house.
Birdlife will have changed a lot since 1967. Spotted Flycatchers gone, Firecrests moved in.
Birdlife will have changed a lot since 1967. Spotted Flycatchers gone, Firecrests moved in.
October 24, 2025 at 11:48 AM
No doubt I’ve run up that lane (unless it’s private) as Lympstone falls well within the OS map centred on my house.
Birdlife will have changed a lot since 1967. Spotted Flycatchers gone, Firecrests moved in.
Birdlife will have changed a lot since 1967. Spotted Flycatchers gone, Firecrests moved in.
Back from Woodbury - a 14km run home. Just light enough to run along the footpaths and lanes. A Firecrest called near Venmore Farm, my 1st in that 1km square.
A quick lap of the headland at Lympstone before heading up the estuary.
#Running #LowCarbonBirding
A quick lap of the headland at Lympstone before heading up the estuary.
#Running #LowCarbonBirding
October 24, 2025 at 10:07 AM
Back from Woodbury - a 14km run home. Just light enough to run along the footpaths and lanes. A Firecrest called near Venmore Farm, my 1st in that 1km square.
A quick lap of the headland at Lympstone before heading up the estuary.
#Running #LowCarbonBirding
A quick lap of the headland at Lympstone before heading up the estuary.
#Running #LowCarbonBirding
Walk around town trying to shake off a growing migraine brightened by a male Marsh Harrier and two Common Seals off the Goatwalk.
#Topsham
#Topsham
October 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
Walk around town trying to shake off a growing migraine brightened by a male Marsh Harrier and two Common Seals off the Goatwalk.
#Topsham
#Topsham
A different view - 10km run from home this morning and I happened upon this view. I’ve not seen the sunrise from this point before.
#EveryDaySurprises
#Running
#EveryDaySurprises
#Running
October 22, 2025 at 12:39 PM
A different view - 10km run from home this morning and I happened upon this view. I’ve not seen the sunrise from this point before.
#EveryDaySurprises
#Running
#EveryDaySurprises
#Running